Chatting at school pickup: English Listening Practice

Intermediate · B1–B2 Episode 12 of 20 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

pickup collecting children from school
newsletter school news sent home regularly
excursion a school trip
canteen the school shop that sells food
playdate an arranged time for children to play together
RSVP reply to say if you're coming
get on well have a good relationship

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

Loading questions…

4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

Loading questions…

Listening Room, episode 12: Chatting at school pickup

Intermediate (B1–B2) · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

pickup: ________________________
newsletter: ________________________
excursion: ________________________
canteen: ________________________
playdate: ________________________
RSVP: ________________________
get on well: ________________________

2. Questions

What's an easy way to start a chat at pickup?
☐ Talk about the kids' classes ☐ Talk about politics ☐ Say nothing
What is a school 'excursion'?
☐ A school trip ☐ A test ☐ A holiday
What's the 'canteen'?
☐ The school shop that sells lunch ☐ The gym ☐ The office
What does RSVP mean?
☐ Reply to say if you're coming ☐ Bring a present ☐ Arrive early
How can you politely say no to a playdate?
☐ No. ☐ That's so kind. We're busy this weekend, but maybe next week? ☐ We don't do playdates.

3. Talk or write about it

You meet another parent at school pickup. Introduce yourself, ask about their child and suggest a playdate.

Transcript

Josh: G'day, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Josh.

Mel: I'm Mel. Today's topic is for parents: chatting at school pickup.

Josh: Pickup is when parents wait outside the school at three o'clock. It's a great place to meet people, but it can feel awkward.

Mel: Totally. So how do you start a conversation?

Josh: Start with the kids. 'Hi, which class is your daughter in?' or 'Is your son in Year One too?'

Mel: Then maybe: 'I'm Priya, by the way. Max's mum.' People often introduce themselves as someone's mum or dad.

Josh: Ha, true. I'm often just 'Lily's dad'!

Mel: You'll also hear lots of school words. Like 'the newsletter', which comes home every week or two.

Josh: And 'mufti day', which in some schools means no uniform for a day.

Mel: 'Excursion' means a school trip. And 'canteen' is the school shop that sells lunch.

Josh: Then there's the 'P and C' or 'P and F'. That's the parents' association.

Mel: If your kids get on well, someone might suggest a playdate.

Josh: 'Would Max like to come over and play on Saturday?' That's a playdate.

Mel: If you can't make it, just say, 'That's so kind. We're busy this weekend, but maybe next week?'

Josh: And here's something that surprises people: kids' birthday parties often invite the whole class.

Mel: Yes! You usually RSVP, which means you reply to say if you're coming.

Josh: Great tip. Be friendly, be patient, and you'll soon know lots of faces.

Mel: Thanks for listening, everyone. See you next time!

Answers: 1. Talk about the kids' classes · 2. A school trip · 3. The school shop that sells lunch · 4. Reply to say if you're coming · 5. That's so kind. We're busy this weekend, but maybe next week?

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Intermediate (about B1–B2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

pickup, newsletter, excursion, canteen, playdate, RSVP, get on well. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.